Sonia Catherine Smith, Manang to Mustang. The mystery and magic. (Documentary/Photojournalism (ATEP 2017))

The lost kingdom of Mustang is bordered by Tibet which influences the culture, language, traditions and lifestyle of the people. If you want to see the real Tibet before the cultural revolution then this is the place to visit. Upper Mustang is also considered one of the last forbidden kingdoms and is unique in the sense of being primarily desert and high altitude resulting in a windy, cold desolate atmosphere. This mythical land north of the 8000 metre peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri still requires a special restricted area permit to enter, and numbers are limited, thus helping to preserve its unique heritage. Village life in Kageni and Tiri in Upper Mustang has not changed much in the last few hundred years. . This is home of the Yak and Yeti where the snow leopard is queen of the mountain. Little children do their best to participate in spiritual practices and mani prayer wheels line the streets. The houses are made of mud bricks and you really do feel like you have stepped back in time. It was fortunate that I got to see last years November superman rise directly over a stupa which are dotted along the mountains and cliffs. This was a very auspicious event to the people who are mainly Buddhist. Upper Mustang can only be accessed on horse or foot. This is soon to change. Due to China’s ever increasing presence in the region, a road is being built connecting Lower Mustang to the walled city of Lo Manthang. The once forbidden region will be open for business.

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